Biophysics Measurement Lab
The Institute for Solid State Physics,
The University of Tokyo
Fostering Diverse and Interdisciplinary Biophysics
through Collaboration and Talent Exchange among Researchers at ISSP
Discover Biophysics Freely
Learning Biophysics, without Boundaries
Our daily research activities updates are shared through posts on X. https://x.com/hayashi_issp
About biophysics studied in the ISSP
In recent years, physics has expanded to include biological systems, with thermodynamics and statistical mechanics traditionally focusing on equilibrium states of physical systems to reveal the properties of various materials. However, living cells and proteins exist in nonequilibrium states.
Since many physical measurement techniques are based on equilibrium statistical mechanics, it becomes challenging to perform measurements in nonequilibrium states, where theorems and laws no longer hold. Under such circumstances, it is essential to develop new measurement and analytical methods for studying cells and proteins by utilizing mathematics and physics. We have developed measurement methods based on nonequilibrium statistical mechanics including fluctuation theorems, extreme value theories, and Bayesian estimation.
Recently, we have also become interested in new nanoscale materials such as DNA nanosprings (constructed by DNA origami) and charged nanobubbles, and have incorporated them into biophysical research. We aim to pursue biophysics in a broader sense, more freely and without being bound by conventional frameworks.
And finally, we consider it important that these studies are connected to medicine, such as disease and regenerative medicine. From the standpoint of physics and mathematics, we hope to contribute to fundamental medical research.
Differences from other biophysics labs:
- We approach biophysics in a very broad sense, not confining our research to nonequilibrium statistical mechanics but instead employing general methodologies from applied physics. By enjoying research, we aim to establish our own unique biophysics.
- Since the PI is affiliated with the Department of Complexity Science and Engineering, the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at the University of Tokyo, we consider programming and computational methodologies in information science to be equally important.
- As a joint-use research institute, we aim to foster human resource development through collaboration with other institutions.
Information about the PI
For information about the PI, please refer to researchmap. It provides details on publications, funding acquisition, social contributions, and collaborative research activities. “researchmap” is a database-driven researcher directory designed to help researchers manage and share their achievements.
- researchmap (Japanese) https://researchmap.jp/read0155075
- researchmap (English) https://researchmap.jp/read0155075?lang=en
Information about graduate school entrance examinations
Our laboratory is currently seeking graduate students.
The PI is affiliated with the Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, and also holds a concurrent position in the Department of Complexity Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/complex/index_e.html
Students interested in joining our laboratory should apply to this graduate program.
https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/complex/html/examinee/examinee_e.html
Lab visits are always welcome.
For the contact address, please see the following webpage.
https://www.issp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/maincontents/org-list_en.html
Members
Staffs
Dr. Kumiko Hayashi
ISSP Research Fellow
Dr. Songhao Yin
PhD students
Yifan Liu
Master’s students
Nobumichi Takamatsu
Yushiro Mori
Secretary
Rikako Miyoshi
Academic societies
The Biophysical Society of Japan
The Molecular Biology Society of Japan
The PI of our lab has served as a council member in both the Biophysical Society of America and Japan. Our laboratory actively participates in these societies, aiming to make significant academic contributions.
ISSP Biophysics seminars
We invite graduate students and early-career researchers to give informal seminars on biophysics approximately once a month. These seminars are held within ISSP as informal internal seminars.
Students’ activities
Students learn through participation in science camps, summer schools, open campus events, and conference presentations.
Visitors to our lab
We hold the ISSP Biophysics Seminars. Particularly early-career researchers, such as students, postdocs, and assistant professors are invited as speakers. We think academic exchange with visitors is important.
Group photos at the conferences
We regularly participate in academic conferences, primarily those organized by Biophysical Societies. At the conferences, we meet a wide variety of researchers.
The ISSP webpage for the Hayashi lab
Brochure of the Dept. of Complex Science and Engineering, Tokyo
The English explanation follows the Japanese one.
Brochure of the Institute for Solid State Physics
Recent publications on biophysics (2023-present)
The information of publications is listed in the following URL. https://researchmap.jp/read0155075
Development of charged nanobubble-containing media and their effects on iPSC-derived cell cultures
Y. Liu, T. Ohdaira*, E. Kitakata, M. A. Silverman, J. Okubo, Y. Harada, K. Hayashi*
bioRxiv (2025) https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.31.673401v2
Stall force measurement of the kinesin-3 motor KIF1A using a programmable DNA origami nanospring
N. Takamatsu, H. Furumoto, T. Ariga, M. Iwaki*, K. Hayashi*
[Open Access] eLife (2025) https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.108477.1
[PR (Japanese)] [PR(English)]
A round table at IUPAB Congress in Kyoto 2024: Dreaming the next 50 years in our biophysics
K. Hayashi, G. Hummer, J. A. Joseph, R. Li, T. Nagai*, S. Onami, F. Zhang, A. Kitamura, Y. Togashi, A. Kakugo,
I. Fujiwara, T. Komatsuzaki*
[Open Access] Biophysics and Physicobiology (2025) https://doi.org/10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v21.e2012
Extreme-value analysis in nano-biological systems: Applications and Implications
K. Hayashi*, N. Takamatsu, S. Takaramoto
[Open Access] Biophysics Reviews (2024) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12551-024-01239-w
Commentary to “Application of Non-equilibrium physics”: a session of the 21th IUPAB Congress 2024, Kyoto, Japan
K. Hayashi*, C.B. Li
Biophysical Reviews (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-024-01209-2
Extreme Value Analysis of Intracellular Cargo Transport by Motor Proteins
T. Naoi, Y. Kagawai, K. Nagino, S. Niwa, K. Hayashi*
[Open Access] Communications Physics (2024) https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-024-01538-4
The third Japan-U.S. symposium on motor proteins and associated single-molecule biophysics
T. Shima*, K. Hayashi
Biophysics and Physicobiology (2023) https://doi.org/10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v20.0037
Number of kinesins engaged in axonal cargo transport: A novel biomarker for neurological disorders
K. Hayashi*, K. Sasaki
[Open Access] Neuroscience Research (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2023.09.004
Outreach Activities in Biophysics
Yumenavi lecture for high school students (Japanese only)
Bridging “Biology” and “Physics”
A Yumenavi lecture video, featuring a faculty member from the University of Tokyo, was created. We promoted biophysics to high school students. https://yumenavi.info/portal.aspx?CLGAKOCD=033910&p=s033910137
One per household poster (Japanese and English versions)
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Biophysical Society of Japan, The PI and her colleagues created an educational poster about proteins. This initiative contributes to providing the public with opportunities to engage with science and technology.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WEEK SITE
Kumiko Hayashi
Professor
Functional Materials Group
The Institute for Solid State Physics
The University of Tokyo
5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581 JAPAN
Email: hayashi@issp.u-tokyo.ac.jp